as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalated
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The shootings follow a Free Press investigation that found 20% of department shootings in the past decade started with nonviolent stops and escalated with foot chases.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The endorsement would mark a reconciliation between the two longtime New York politicians, each of whom had escalated attacks against the other before Adams ended his campaign.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The situation escalated in the fall of 2019, when Rogers called LaRue's daughter's school and claimed to be her father.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
The argument escalated, and Reese approached Stennis with a knife.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
What’s certain, however, is that the situation had escalated in a matter of days, according to local media.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
And as immigration raids escalated in the spring of this year, fear began to cloud simple outings like family trips to the park.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Tensions escalated further this week after Trump revealed new details about the latest strike in the region.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
In the following weeks, however, the bizarre experiences escalated, and so did their outreach, including to the police, who were stumped too.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The shootings follow a Free Press investigation that found 20% of department shootings in the past decade started with nonviolent stops and escalated with foot chases.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The endorsement would mark a reconciliation between the two longtime New York politicians, each of whom had escalated attacks against the other before Adams ended his campaign.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
The situation escalated in the fall of 2019, when Rogers called LaRue's daughter's school and claimed to be her father.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
The argument escalated, and Reese approached Stennis with a knife.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
What’s certain, however, is that the situation had escalated in a matter of days, according to local media.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
And as immigration raids escalated in the spring of this year, fear began to cloud simple outings like family trips to the park.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Tensions escalated further this week after Trump revealed new details about the latest strike in the region.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
The surface-to-surface weapon system provides the Joint Force Commander with increased range, lethality, survivability, and missile load out.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Miners argue increased subjection to the dust has led to an eruption of black lung, an incurable disease associated with inhaling the particles.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In August, car insurance rose by the smallest annual rate in three years – but that still amounted to a hefty near-5% jump, well above the overall inflation rate.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
New Jerseyans’ electricity rates rose roughly 20% at the start of June as a result of price-setting capacity auctions—the market where power producers are paid to guarantee future supply.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Europe has been hungry for a homegrown alternative to Starlink, which dominates the sector — the service has been vital to Ukrainian troops in the war against Russia, and fears of a possible shutdown accelerated Europe’s space ambitions.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
His extraordinary rise has only accelerated over the past 12 months.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Springer could not touch an elevated fastball.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Enthusiasm for the sport swelled when Lake Placid hosted the 1932 Olympic Games, and under the New Deal, the Civilian Conservation Core helped supercharge the development of New York’s trails and infrastructure.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
-
China’s medium-range missile arsenal has swelled from 600 a few years ago to 1,300 today, more than enough to decimate American bases in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While oral arguments are typically constrained to an hour—30 minutes for each side—the high court on Thursday ordered that the hearings will be expanded to 80 minutes.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Acquisitions and investments have expanded BHP’s copper operations by nearly 30% in three years and set it up to become one of the world’s largest producers of potash.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cobra Kai star Tanner Buchanan readies for a STRONG Nation high-intensity workout class in Atlanta over the weekend.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This week, those effects point to cheaper short-term money, a debate about December, and a high premium on the Fed’s forward guidance.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Regular exercise has eased her joint pain, boosted her energy and helped protect her bone health through menopause.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Cooler-than-expected inflation data boosted investor optimism that the Fed will keep cutting rates to help the economy.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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